Sliding Bracket for Facade Panel Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for attaching panel-shaped facade elements to building substructures, particularly in rear-ventilated curtain walls, are complex and require adjustments in multiple directions to compensate for construction and assembly tolerances, often necessitating visible devices and substructure modifications.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a support profile and a sliding holder with profiling that allows displacement in two perpendicular directions, using a combination of form and force fits to adjust the position of the facade elements without moving the substructure, and a clamping strip for secure engagement, enabling fine adjustments and compensation for tolerances without altering the existing substructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple adjustment mechanisms are used to compensate for construction tolerances, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines vertical and horizontal adjustment capabilities into a single sliding holder component. The holder features a slideable connection between the support bracket and holder body, enabling both directions of adjustment through one integrated mechanism rather than separate adjustment devices, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sliding holder is designed with multi-functionality to perform both vertical positioning (via support bracket displacement) and horizontal positioning (via holder sliding) within a single component. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized adjustment mechanisms, simplifying the overall attachment device while achieving precise alignment in multiple directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If visible adjustment devices are used to compensate for tolerances, then alignment precision is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the adjustment functionality from visible external components and integrates it into the hidden attachment mechanism between the support profile and holder. The sliding connection is positioned within the structural assembly rather than on the visible facade surface, allowing tolerance compensation without compromising the aesthetic appearance of the finished facade.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Manufacturing precision

If the substructure is moved to adjust facade element positions, then alignment precision is improved, but structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adjustment capability through the sliding connection between the support bracket and holder, allowing positional adjustments without moving the fixed substructure. The support profile remains stably attached to the building, while the holder can slide to accommodate tolerance variations, thus maintaining both alignment precision and structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3767053B1Device for applying plate-shaped facade elements to a subsurface fixed to a building side or a substructure fixed to a building side, facade with plate-shaped facade elements
Publication Date: 2021.07.07 STO SE & CO KGAA
  • EP3767053B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3767053B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3767053B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for attaching panel-shaped facade elements (1) to a substrate provided by the building or to a substructure attached to a substrate provided by the building, comprising a support profile (2) and a sliding bracket (3), wherein the sliding bracket (3) has a panel-shaped section (5) that can be inserted into a guide (4) of the support profile (2), so that the sliding bracket (3) is displaceable relative to the support profile (2) in a first direction (x). According to the invention, the panel-shaped section (5) of the sliding bracket (3) has a profile (6) on its rear side, which consists of several webs (6.1) and/or grooves (6.2) extending parallel to the first direction (x) and can be brought into engagement with a correspondingly designed profile (7) of the support profile (2), so that the sliding bracket (3) is displaceable in a second direction (y) extending perpendicular to the first direction (x).The invention further relates to a facade with suspended, ventilated, panel-shaped facade elements (1).